Religious Education News: Sun Mar 3

With February at its end, we look forward to the arrival of spring. If anyone had wanted to witness a "spring" in the steps of our RE students, they could have seen it at our annual Alvin Ailey Dance Sunday program last Sunday, executed by LaToya Wigfall. LaToya has been coming to CUUC for 12 years, and recognized a few of the nine children (and one nursery toddler) in attendance, remarking at how big they had gotten. She immediately sat down and chatted with all of the kids, explaining the fun “moves” they were going to learn. Well, before you knew it we had scary music playing and the children were performing a version of zombie walking that put The Walking Dead to shame. The group dance was exuberant, choreographed to beating, pulsating instrumental rhythms. Our budding dance stars only had to see and practice the steps once to perform with accuracy, energy, and grace. The final pièce de résistance was right from Madonna’s repertoire of “strike a pose,” but done much better by our RE students. Everyone modeled and walked down the runway. The boys struck a superhero pose, crossing their arms and projecting, “I’m a cool dude,” while the girls promenaded down the runway, struck one pose, and another, and another, then flipped their hair, looked into their imaginary mirrors, and blew a kiss to themselves, the “fly girls.” Even little 2-year-old Ariana Alvarado was busting some moves! The kids were totally energized and engaged by the program, to the degree that watching them was contagious and made me smile. LaToya exerted such a warm and encouraging presence that she created an instantaneous bond with the kids. Undeniably, she is in an element where she belongs because she easily touched our students’ hearts and gave them the gift of laughter, pride, and accomplishment in the short period of one-and-a-half hours. Congratulations to all our RE students, who gave us a sneak preview of their potential as future stage and runway UU stars. Job well done to them and to LaToya!

Michele Rinaldi
RE Coordinator

Looking ahead...

RE This Sunday, March 3
Grades K-5 start in the sanctuary for the Wonder Box Story. Grades 6th-12th start in classrooms.

Pancake Brunch, Sun Mar 3, 11:30am, Fellowship Hall
Come flip for our flapjacks! Fundraiser sponsored by our Youth Group to support their social justice outreach. $5/adult, $3/child, $15/family.

Faith Development Friday, Fri Mar 8, 6:15pm, Fellowship Hall
Join us for our next Faith Development Friday gathering for pizza and salad dinner at 6:15, and programs at 7:00. Adult RE will be a book discussion of this year’s UUA “common read” Justice on Earth, led by Rev. Garmon. Family Journey Group will discuss this month’s topic “Desire.” All are welcome to stay after for coffee and conversation. RSVP by 12:00 noon Fri Mar 8 to cuucevents@gmail.com.

2019 Variety Show Fundraiser, Sat May 4, 5:00pm
Help us get ready for the fun! BAKE SALE sign-ups: Contact Benetta Barnett (benettabarnett@hotmail.com), RAFFLE PRIZE DONATIONS: Contact Liz Suvanto (elizabethsuvanto@hotmail.com).

Metro NY Youth Conference, March 29-31, UU Congregation of Danbury, CT
Our spring Youth Con in Danbury is for kids in grades 9-12. At cons district youth meet one another, build community, explore their religious identity, create worship, practice leadership, and have fun. Information and registration links HERE. Registrar is Monica Schlichting (monikai@optonline.net).

Metro NY Spring Junior High Youth Conference, April 6-7, CUUC
Registration is open! This 24-hour event for youth in grades 6-8 is a fun opportunity to connect with other UU youth. Information and registration links HERE. Registrar is Charlie Neiss (cneiss@aol.com).